Kukla's Korner Hockey

Tucker has a no-trade provision in the four-year, US$12-million extension he signed last March, and he has been evasive when answering questions from reporters about his willingness to waive the clause. But, after the Leafs’ morning skate at Montreal’s Bell Centre on Thursday, Tucker opened up a bit, and he sounded like a man who is firmly entrenched in Toronto. “I believe in the organization and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs,” he said. “I signed here last year to stay. At that particular time in my career, I could have taken the option to explore free agency and I didn’t. Not only have the Maple Leafs been good to me, but I think my allegiance to this team has shown in the last eight years.” When asked about the prospect of changing his mind before Feb. 26, Tucker replied, “I don’t see myself changing that philosophy.”